Circuit Interrupter Assembly and Method of Making the Same

ABSTRACT

A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices (302) may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies ( 306 ). An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies (306) unless the circuit interrupting devices ( 302 ) are in an open state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent relates to a circuit interrupting device that may bemanufactured in a number of different configurations and a method ofmaking such a circuit interrupting device.

BACKGROUND

Circuit interrupting devices function to isolate a fault condition in apower distribution system. Upon clearing of the fault condition certaintypes of these devices may be manually or automatically reclosed torestore the circuit. Faults in a power distribution system can occur forany number of reasons and are typically transient. Detection andisolation of the fault mitigates damage to the system as a result of thefault. Reclosing after the fault is cleared provides for quick servicerestoration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a circuit interrupting device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conductor/sensor sub-assembly of thecircuit interrupting device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of thecircuit interrupting device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of thecircuit interrupting device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of thecircuit interrupting device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mold assembly for making circuitinterrupting devices.

FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view of a mold half of the mold assemblyillustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a multiple circuit interrupting deviceassembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a disconnect assembly for the multiplecircuit interrupting device assembly shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the multiple circuit interrupting deviceassembly of FIG. 8 with the disconnect assembly in a closed position orstate.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the multiple circuit interrupting deviceassembly of FIG. 8 with the disconnect assembly in an open position orstate.

FIG. 12 is bottom front perspective view of the multiple circuitinterrupting device assembly of FIG. 8 with a base removed to reveal amanual actuation and interlock mechanism.

FIG. 13 is bottom rear perspective view of the multiple circuitinterrupting device assembly of FIG. 8 with a base removed to reveal amanual operated gang actuation mechanism including an interlockassembly.

FIG. 14 is partial view of a circuit interrupting actuator and manualactuation mechanism.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of a manual operated gangactuation mechanism interlock assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of differentconfigurations providing current path options, conductor connectivityoptions and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solidinsulation housing into which various operable components are installed.The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly andconductor members, from which the various configurations may beestablished including a plurality of different current pathconfigurations. The core may be molded in situ within the solidinsulation housing. Based upon the final configuration of the circuitinterrupting device, the solid insulating housing is molded with varioushousing options. Operable elements, such as vacuum interrupters,actuators, and the like may be disposed within the housing. More thanone circuit interrupting device may be provided in a structure forconnection in multiphase power distribution systems.

A method of providing a circuit interrupting device includes providingin situ molding of a core member within a solid insulation housing. Moldsections permits molding of the solid insulating housing in a number ofdifferent configurations and to include a number of different currentpath options.

While the invention is described in terms of several preferredembodiments of circuit interrupting devices, it will be appreciated thatthe invention is not limited to circuit interrupting devices. Theinventive concepts may be employed in connection with any number ofdevices including circuit breakers, reclosers, sensors, and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention as a circuitinterrupting device 100. The circuit interrupting device 100 includes asolid insulation housing 102 within which a core 104 is molded. Thesolid insulation housing 102 is further molded with a cavity 106 intowhich there is disposed a fault interrupter such as a vacuum interrupter108 coupled to an insulated actuating rod 110. The vacuum interrupter108 couples a first conductor 112 to a second conductor 114. Other faultinterrupters capable of interrupting the current path within an sealedenclosure and providing arc control and/or arc suppression may be used.

The first conductor 112 may be a conductive rod including a first tap116 for coupling to the vacuum interrupter 108 and a second tap 118 forcoupling externally of the housing 102 on a first external side 120 ofthe housing 102. The second conductor 114 may also be a conductive rodthat includes a first tap 122 for coupling to the vacuum interrupter 108and a second tap 124 for coupling externally of the housing 102 on asecond external side 126 of the housing 102. The first conductor 112,the circuit interrupter 108 and the second conductor 114 define acurrent path 128 through the device 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the current path 128 may have a “Z” shapedconfiguration. Relative to FIG. 1, and for illustrative purposes only,the first conduct 112 extends horizontally and is disposed relativelyabove the second conductor 114, which also extends horizontally withinthe housing 102. The second conductor 114 is generally parallel to thefirst conductor 112. The vacuum interrupter 108 extends verticallybetween the first conductor 112 and the second conductor 114 definingthe “Z” shaped current path 128 from the first external side 120 of thehousing 102 to the second external side 126. One will appreciate thatthe “Z” shaped current path 126 is as depicted in FIG. 1, and thatrotating the device may result in an “N” shaped current path, or othersimilar “zig zag” type arrangements. Still other current paths may beprovided where the current path includes a first current tap on a firstside of the device and a second current tap on a second side of thedevice, different than the first side of the device.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and reference now also to FIG. 2, thefirst conductor 112 and the second conductor 114 may be part of the core104, which may also include a first sensor 132 and a second sensor 134.The first sensor 132 and the second sensor 134 each may be a voltagesensor, a current sensor, a combination current and voltage sensor, oranother type of sensor. As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor 132 is avoltage sensor while the second sensor 134 includes a current sensor 136and a voltage sensor 138. The first sensor 132 is disposed about thefirst conductor 112 while the second sensor 134 is disposed about thesecond conductor 114. Suitable signaling cable 140 couple the respectiveoutput of the first sensor 132 and the second sensor 134 from the device100.

The core 104 may further include the vacuum interrupter 108. A flexibleelectrical coupling 142 couples a moving contact 144 of the vacuuminterrupter 108 to the second conductor 114. The actuating rod 146couples the moving contact 144 to an actuator (not depicted). Theactuating rod 110 may include an insulated rod portion 148. Theactuating rod 110 extends through an end plate 150 as does the cable140. A stationary contact 154 of the vacuum interrupter 108 is coupledto the first conductor 112 by a fastener 156, such as a threadedfastener or other suitable attachment means. Similarly, a fastener 158secures the flexible coupling 142 to the second conductor 114.

The core 104 may form a pre-assembly that is molded in situ within thehousing 102. The core 104 may have a number of configurations based uponthe desired final configuration of the device 100 and the intendedcurrent path for the device 100. The core 104 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2 is for the “Z” shaped current path circuit interrupter device 100. Fora different device or different current path, the core 104 isaccordingly alternatively configured. The core 104 need not include allof the herein described components. For example, the core 104 mayalternatively consist only of the sensors 132 and 134 and cable 140 orthe core 104 may consist of the sensors 132 and 132, cable 140 and firstand second conductors 112 and 114 or the core 104 may consist ofvirtually any combination of sensors, conductors, cabling and the like.Configuration of the core may be based upon the intended application andcorresponding required current path configuration of the finisheddevice. Likewise, the configuration of the housing, including a commonhousing portion and additional, selectable housing portions may be basedupon the intended application and corresponding current pathconfiguration.

The housing 102 is geometrically configured to accept the core 104, andin that regard the housing 102 may include several common geometricfeatures. The housing 102 may include a body portion 160. The bodyportion 160 may have a cylindrical, rectangular box or any suitableshape, and, as shown in FIG. 1, the housing 102 is formed to include acavity 106 within which several of the device components are disposed.For the device 100, for example, disposed within the cavity 106 are thevacuum interrupter 108 and its associated mechanical and electricalcoupling components. The vacuum interrupter 108 may be secured withinthe cavity 106 by potting material, such as silicone or another suitablematerial. First and second cylindrical formations 164 and 166 receivethe first and second sensors 132 and 134, respectively. The body portion160 may therefore be substantially the same for each differentconfiguration of device. For the device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the housing102 is molded to include an insulating boss 168 that receives the secondconductor 114.

Manufacture of devices as described herein, such as circuit interruptingdevices, circuit breakers, reclosers, sensors, and the like is easilyand economically provided. FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit interruptingdevice 100′ that is of similar construction as the device 100, exceptthat it is provided with an alternate electrical connectionconfiguration and corresponding current path. Reference numerals arerepeated in FIG. 3 for elements of the device 100′ that are the same asthose illustrated in connection with the device 100. Modified elementsare indicated with a primed reference numeral, such as device 100 anddevice 100′. New or substantially different elements are identified witha unique reference numeral.

While the device 100 provides a “Z” shaped current path, the device 100′is configured to have “C” or “U” shaped current path, depending on theorientation of the device 100′. Herein it is referred to as “C” shapedbased on the orientation the device 100′ as shown in FIG. 3. The firstconductor 112′ is modified to extend farther through the sensor 132. Thehousing 102 is molded to include an insulating boss 170 surrounding theextended portion 172 of the first conductor 112′. The device 100′ isotherwise the same as the device 100. For example, the core 104′ is thesame except that the first conductor 112′ includes the extended portion172. The housing 102′ is the same except that it is molded to includethe insulating boss 170. The first conductor 112′ retains the first tap118 external to the housing 102′ on the first side 120.

FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit interrupting device 100″ that is of similarconstruction as the devices 100 and 100′, except that it is providedwith yet another alternate electrical connection configuration.Reference numerals are repeated in FIG. 4 for elements of the device100″ that are the same as those illustrated in connection with thedevice 100. Modified elements are indicated with a double primedreference numeral, such as device 100 and device 100″. New orsubstantially different elements are identified with a unique referencenumeral.

The device 100″ is configured to have “C” or “U” shaped current pathsimilar to the device 100′. However, the first tap 118 is eliminated,and the housing 102″ is modified in that that first side 120 is rounded.Of course, the housing 102″ need not be modified except to enclose theopening for the first tap 118; however, such an arrangement wouldpotentially require additional molding material. The first conductor112″ includes the portion 172 that extends through the sensor 132 andthe insulating boss 170. A second end 174 of the first conductor 112″ istruncated at the first tap 116 for connecting the first conductor 112″to the vacuum interrupter 108. The device 100″ is otherwise the same asthe device 100′. For example, the core 104″ is the same except that thefirst conductor 112′ is truncated at the first tap 116. The housing 102″is the same except that the first side 120″ is reduced in size and thefirst tap 118 is eliminated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit interrupting device 100′″ that is ofsimilar construction as the device 100, except that it is provided withan alternate electrical connection configuration. Reference numerals arerepeated in FIG. 5 for elements of the device 100′″ that are the same asthose illustrated in connection with the devices 100, 100′ and 100″.Modified elements are indicated with a triple primed reference numerals,such as device 100 and device 100′″. New or substantially differentelements are identified with a unique reference numeral.

While the device 100 provides a “Z” shaped current path, the device100′″ is configured to have “C” or “U” shaped current path, depending onthe orientation of the device 100′. We will continue to refer to it as“C” shaped as the device 100′″ is shown in FIG. 5. The first conductor112′ is modified to include the portion 172 extending through the sensor132. The housing 102′″ is molded to include an insulating boss 170surrounding the extended portion 172 of the first conductor 112′″. Thefirst conductor 112′″ is also truncated at the first tap 116. A groundtap 175 is provided having a tap 176 exposed on the second side 120′″,where the second tap 118 was disposed. The ground tap 175 furtherincludes conductor portion 178 extending through the housing 102′″ to abase portion 180. The device 100′″ is otherwise substantially similar tothe device 100. For example, the core 104′″ is substantially the same asthe core 104″, and the housing 102′″ is the same except that it ismolded to include the insulating boss 170 and to incorporate the groundtap 175. The first conductor 112′″ retains the opening where the firsttap 118 was disposed, but not the opening is occupied by the tap 176.

In order to provide devices of various configurations, a manufacturingprocess is provided that utilizes a sectionalized mold tool. Thesectionalized mold is easily configured and reconfigured to producedevices of differing configurations. In addition, core components areprovided with a substantially common configuration. The commonizedconfiguration of the core components allow simple, reliable adaptationto the variety of different device configurations to be manufactured.For example, a commonized core 104 is described above, and variousdevice and current path configurations are depicted in FIGS. 1, 3-5.FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a sectionalized mold 200 that can be configuredand reconfigured to easily produce a number of different devicesutilizing the common core components.

The mold 200 includes a first mold half 202 and a second mold half 204(FIG. 7 illustrates only the first mold half 202 in exploded assemblyview). The first and second mold halves 202 and 204 are secured torespective bases 206 and 207 using various known location facilities. Inaddition, according to known processes, material is communicated into amold cavity 205 defined by the mold halves 202 and 204.

The second mold half 204 includes a first core fixture 208 and a secondcore fixture 210. The first core fixture 208 and the second core fixture210 fix, relative to the mold halves 202 and 204 and hence the moldcavity defined by the mold halves, the core assembly, such as core 104,within the mold 200. This permits the core assembly to be in situ moldedwithin the housing of the device, such as depicted in FIGS. 1-5. Themold 200 may include an insert 214 defining a cavity within the moldedhousing that will contain components of the device. Alternatively, thecore itself may include structure to define the cavity, and hence,become part of the finished device.

The mold halves 202 and 204 are formed of a plurality of mold sections.Mold sections 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and 224 are illustrated in FIG. 7.By substituting mold sections, devices of different configurations maybe manufactured. For example, to manufacture the device 100, the moldsections 214-224, as illustrated in FIG. 7 are used. To manufacture thedevice 100′, the mold section 214 may be substituted with a mold sectionthat defines the insulating bushing 170. Of course a correspondingsection of the mold half 204 is also replaced. As can be seen, devicesof numerous different configurations may be produced by substitutingappropriate mold sections. The mold 200 is configured to receive and fixrelative to the mold cavity the core assembly that may be commonly usedfor each of the devices.

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate a multiple or “gang disconnect” interrupterassembly 300. The assembly 300 may include several circuit interruptingdevices 302, for example, and each may be an interrupter assembly 100.The multiple interrupter assembly 300 may be configured in numerousdifferent ways including cantilever, outrigger, boom, vertical and thelike. The assembly 300 illustrates one possible configuration. Moreover,as described herein, the ability to manually gang actuate the circuitinterrupting devices, to provide visual indications of the state of thecircuit interrupting device and to provide disconnect assembly lock outmay be adapted to virtually any configuration of a multiple interrupterassembly.

Three circuit interrupting devices 302 are shown in FIG. 8, one each foreach phase of a three phase power distribution system. The circuitinterrupting devices 302 are secured to a base assembly 304. Eachcircuit interrupting devices 302 is associated with a disconnectassembly 306, with the disconnect assemblies being secured to a supportmember 308 secured to the base assembly 304. The disconnect assembliesmay be the same as or similar in construction to the disconnect assembly244, described above. Corresponding to each circuit interrupting device302 on a bottom surface of the base 304 is a transparent cap 314. Thetransparent cap 314 permits visual verification of the state of thecorresponding circuit interrupting device 302 open or closed based uponvisual inspection of the position of the circuit interrupting deviceactuator.

A disconnect member 316 is mounted for pivoting motion to the supportmember 308. The disconnect member 316 couples to each of the disconnectassemblies 306 so that pivoting movement of the disconnect member 316moves all three disconnect assemblies from a connect state (FIG. 10) toa disconnect state (FIG. 11). In the connect state, blades 318 engage acontact 320 of the circuit interrupting device 302. In the disconnectstate, the blade 318 is rotated away from and out of contact with thecontact 320.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, the assembly 300 includes a manual operatedgang actuation mechanism 322 for actuating the circuit interruptingdevices from closed to open states. The mechanism 322 includes a pair oflinks 324 and 326 that couple to arms 328 secured to the actuator 330associated with respective circuit interrupting devices 302. The arms328 are secured to a pin 332 that is rotatably supported in a bracket335 secured to the actuator 330. Each pin 332 is formed with a relief334 that engages a collar 336 secured to a first end 337 of a rod 338 ofthe actuator 330. Rotation of the pin 332 causes the relief 334 toengage the collar 336 to move the rod 338, and hence to manuallyseparate the contacts of the associated circuit interrupting device. Areturn spring 343 provides a restoring force to the link 326 to bias themechanism 322 toward the interrupter closed state.

The pin 332 is caused to rotate as a result of movement of the links 324and 326 responsive to rotation of lever 340 coupled to an input shaftassembly 342.

A lever plate 360 is also coupled to the input shaft assembly 342. Thelever plate 360 includes a first aperture 364 and a second aperture 366.The apertures are sized to receive a hot stick for engaging the leverplate 360 to rotate the lever plate 360, and hence to cause rotation ofthe input shaft assembly 342.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 10-11 and 15, the lever plate 360 isalso formed with a locking member 370. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10-11 and 15, the locking member may be a flange 372. With thelever plate 360 in the lockout state, the flange 372 engages a cammember 374 secured to the disconnect member 316. A lever 376 is furthercoupled to the disconnect member 316. The lever 376 includes an aperture377 that may be engaged by a hot stick to operate the disconnectassembly 306. The cam member 374 includes a first surface 378 and asecond surface 380. With the disconnect assembly 306 in the closed state(FIG. 10) and the lever plate 360 in the lockout state, that is, thecircuit interrupting device is either closed or reset and ready toclose, the first surface 378 engages the flange 372. The engagement ofthe first surface 378 with the flange 372 prevents rotation of the lever376 to open the disconnect assembly. Similarly, with the disconnectassembly 306 in the open state (FIG. 11) and the lever plate 360 in thelockout state, that is, the circuit interrupting device is either closedor reset and ready to close, the first surface 378 engages the flange372. The engagement of the first surface 378 with the flange 372prevents rotation of the lever 376 to close the disconnect assembly.When the lever plate 360 is in the disconnect state, i.e., the circuitinterrupting device 302 is open, either having been automatically ormanually opened, the cam member 374 does not engage the flange 372 andthe lever 376 and disconnect member 316 is free to rotate to either openor close the disconnect assembly 306. As shown in FIG. 15, a close outplate 382 may be provided, formed with a slot 384 through which the cammember 374 extends into the base 304 to engage the flange 372. As shownin FIG. 9, a detent 384 may be provided to hold the disconnect member316 in the open position. The detent 384 may include a spring 386secured to the support 308 that engages a pin 388 secured to thedisconnect member 316 once the disconnect member 316 is positioned inthe disconnect open position.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, certain embodiments are shown by way of example inthe drawings and the herein described embodiments. It will beunderstood, however, that this disclosure is not intended to limit theinvention to the particular forms described, but to the contrary, theinvention is intended to cover all modifications, alternatives, andequivalents defined by the appended claims.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined inthis patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ ishereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intentto limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication,beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not beinterpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in anysection of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To theextent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent isreferred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning,that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader,and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implicationor otherwise, to that single meaning. Unless a claim element is definedby reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of anystructure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element beinterpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph.

1. A circuit interrupting device comprising: a solid insulating housing;a first conductor within the housing, the first conductor coupled to afirst tap disposed on a first side of the housing; a second conductorwithin the housing, the second conductor coupled to a second tap, thesecond tap disposed on a second side of the housing; a fault interrupterdisposed within the housing, the fault interrupter coupled between thefirst conductor and the second conductor; the first conductor, thesecond conductor and the fault interrupter forming a current paththrough the housing from the first side of the housing to the secondside of the housing.
 2. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1,wherein the current path comprises a “Z” or “N” shape.
 3. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1, wherein the current path comprises a “C”or “U” shape.
 4. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1, comprisinga sensor core assembly, the sensor core assembly being molded within thehousing and operatively coupled to one or both of the first and secondconductors.
 5. The circuit interrupting device of claim 4, wherein thesensor core assembly comprises at least one sensor of the group ofsensors consisting of a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a combinedvoltage and current sensor and a signaling conductor coupled to the atleast one sensor and having a sensor tap to be exposed externally of thehousing.
 6. The circuit interrupting device of claim 1, wherein thehousing comprises a moldable feature, the moldable feature beingselected based at least in part upon a configuration of the currentpath.
 7. The circuit interrupting device of claim 6, wherein themoldable feature comprises an insulating boss disposed about one of thefirst and second conductors.
 8. The circuit interrupting device of claim1, wherein the first conductor is coupled to a third tap disposed on thesecond side of the housing.
 9. The circuit interrupting device of claim1 comprising a ground tap disposed within the housing.
 10. The circuitinterrupting device of claim 1, wherein the fault interrupter comprisesa vacuum interrupter.
 11. A circuit interrupting device comprising: acommon insulating housing portion; a core current carrying portiondisposed within the common housing portion; the core current carryingportion comprising a first conductor defining a first tap, a secondconductor defining a second tap, wherein the first and second conductorshave an orientation defining a current path; a fault interrupterdisposed within the housing and being coupled between the first andsecond conductors; a first insulating housing portion and a secondinsulating housing portion, a configuration of each of the first andsecond insulating housing portions being selected based upon aconfiguration of the current path, the first and second insulatinghousing portions being molded to the common insulating housing portionto encompass the first conductor and the second conductor, respectively,while leaving exposed externally of the first insulating housing portionthe first tap and the second insulating housing portion the second tap.12. The circuit interrupting device of claim 11, wherein the currentpath comprises a “Z” or “N” shape.
 13. The circuit interrupting deviceof claim 11, wherein the current path comprises a “C” or “U” shape. 14.The circuit interrupting device of claim 11, comprising a sensor coreassembly, the sensor core assembly being molded within the commoninsulating housing portion and operatively coupled to the current path.15. The circuit interrupting device of claim 11, wherein the firstconductor is coupled to a third tap disposed externally to the commoninsulating housing portion on a side of the common insulating housingportion opposite the first tap.
 16. The circuit interrupting device ofclaim 11 comprising a ground tap disposed within the common insulatinghousing portion.
 17. The circuit interrupting device of claim 11,wherein the fault interrupter comprises a vacuum interrupter.
 18. Amethod of making a circuit interrupting device comprising: configuring amold assembly based upon a first intended current path for a firstcircuit interrupting device; using the mold assembly to form a firstsolid insulating housing; disposing a first conductor and a secondconductor within the first solid insulating housing; coupling the firstconductor and the second conductor with a fault interrupter to definethe first intended current path; reconfiguring the mold assembly basedupon a second intended current path for a second circuit interruptingdevice; using the mold assembly to form a second solid insulatinghousing; disposing a first conductor and a second conductor within thesecond solid insulating housing; and coupling the first conductor andthe second conductor with a fault interrupter to define the secondintended current path.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the moldassembly comprises a plurality of mold segments, and reconfiguring themold assembly comprises reconfiguring the mold segments.
 20. The methodof claim 19, wherein a mold segment of the plurality of mold segmentscorresponds to a common housing feature.
 21. The method of claim 18,comprising providing a core assembly, and molding the core assemblywithin the solid insulating housing.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe core assembly comprises a sensor.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the core assembly comprises the first and second conductors. 24.The method of claim 18, wherein the first intended current pathcomprises a “Z” or “N” shape.
 25. The method of claim 18, wherein thesecond intended current path comprises a “C” or “U” shape.
 26. Themethod of claim 18, comprising providing a tap coupled to one of thefirst conductor and the second conductor, the tap being molded withinthe solid insulating housing.
 27. The method of claim 18, comprisingproviding a ground tap molded within the solid insulating housing.
 28. Amethod of providing a circuit interrupting device, the methodcomprising: providing a plurality of mold sections, each mold sectionincluding a mold portion defining a portion of a housing, the moldsections being joinable into a mold for molding a housing; selectingfrom the plurality of mold sections a portion of the plurality of moldsections, the selected portion of mold sections being determined by apredetermined configuration for a housing for the circuit interruptingdevice, the configuration of the housing being determined by a currentpath for the circuit interrupting device; joining the selected portionof the mold sections for form a mold; forming the housing using themold; and disposing within the housing a first conductor, a secondconductor and a fault interrupter coupling the first conductor and thesecond conductor to define the current path.
 29. The method of claim 28,wherein a mold section of the plurality of mold sections corresponds toa common housing feature.
 30. The method of claim 28, comprisingproviding a core assembly, and molding the core assembly within thesolid insulating housing.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the coreassembly comprises a sensor.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein thecore assembly comprises the first and second conductors.
 33. The methodof claim 18, wherein the current path comprises a “Z” or “N” shape. 34.The method of claim 18, wherein the current path comprises a “C” or “U”shape.
 35. A circuit interrupting assembly comprising: a base assembly;a plurality of circuit interrupting devices secured to the baseassembly; a disconnect assembly associated with each of the circuitinterrupting devices, the disconnect assembly having a closed statewherein a conductor of the disconnect assembly couples the associatedcircuit interrupting device to a power distribution system, and an openstate wherein the conductor is uncouples the circuit interrupting deviceto the power distribution system; an actuation mechanism coupled to eachof the disconnect assemblies for actuating the disconnect assembliesfrom the closed state to the open state and from the open state to theclosed state; and an interlock assembly coupled to each of the circuitinterrupting devices, the interlock assembly preventing operation of theactuation mechanism when a circuit interrupting device of the pluralityof the circuit interrupting devices is in a closed state.
 36. Thecircuit interrupting assembly of claim 35, wherein the actuationmechanism comprises a cam member, the cam member engaged by theinterlock assembly to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism. 37.The circuit interrupting assembly of claim 35, wherein the interlockassembly comprises a portion of a circuit interrupting device manualactuation assembly.
 38. The circuit interrupting assembly of claim 37,wherein the interlock assembly comprises a locking member that engagesthe actuation mechanism to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism.39. The circuit interrupting assembly of claim 37, wherein the manualactuation assembly comprises a position sensor.
 40. The circuitinterrupting assembly of claim 37, an actuator being associated witheach circuit interrupting device, the manual actuation mechanismcoupling to each of the actuators.
 41. The circuit interrupting assemblyof claim 35, an encoder associated with each actuator, the encoderproviding an indication of the open or closed state of the circuitinterrupting device based upon a position of the actuator.
 42. Thecircuit interrupting assembly of claim 35, the manual actuationmechanism comprising a detent assembly.
 43. The circuit interruptingassembly of claim 35, the manual actuation mechanism being disposedwithin the base assembly and accessible via an aperture formed in thebase assembly.